A History of Innovation and Commitment to Education

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Lesley University Graduate School of Education has over 34,000 alumni from across the nation who have graduated from its Master's, certificate, and advanced degree programs. It began in 1909 as the Lesley School, for kindergarten teachers, and continues today with a focus on PreK-12 education.

We believe in innovation. Our first online courses were offered in 1996, and our first national off-campus programs began in 1980. In subsequent years, we expanded our national offerings to 23 states, where cohorts of students took our programs in an intensive weekend format.

We believe in holding ourselves accountable
for student success. Our goal is for graduates to be well-prepared for the
challenges and adventures of the classroom, and have set a system in
place to ensure that we continue our tradition of excellence.

Our mission statement says, in part, that we "believe learning is a collective endeavor that involves students, educators, families, and communities, and thrives in rich, flexible, creative environments." We are committed to the core values of democracy, equity, community, inquiry, professionalism, and leadership.

We also believe in life-long learning, meeting the diverse needs of learners, continuous improvement, and giving our best to our students every day. Our coursework is demanding, but allows our students a direct link from our classroom to their classroom, and provides them with deep content knowledge and pedagogical skills.

Big Enough and Small Enough

Though we have many students, our class sizes are small and our faculty are committed to constant attention, assessment, and feedback. Students know they are known, and understand that they will be heard. Our thousands of alumni across the nation provide many networking opportunities.

Across the Continuum

Our program offerings meet you where you are, helping you to move forward in whatever way you need: initial licensure, professional and post-licensure, readiness for advanced practice, and professional development. We offer three PhD in Educational Studies programs, giving you an opportunity to advance both your career and learning in your field.

Career Profile 2013

Of the respondents to a career profile survey following their graduation,* 98 percent were employed either in a new or continuing position or employed and seeking a more appropriate opportunity; 95 percent of those employed were working full time. Of those in new positions, 91 percent reported that their work is very related to their career goals, and 9 percent reported that their work is somewhat related to their goals.

Positions included teacher in grades from kindergarten through high school, literacy instructor, clinical manager, resource teacher, technology integrator, and school librarian. Graduate respondents were teaching in 30 states and Washington, D.C.

On the perceived value of a Lesley degree, 84 percent of the 550 respondents rated the degree as valuable or very valuable (reported 7+ on a scale of 10).

*Lesley's Career Resource Center surveyed 1207 on-campus, off-campus, and online graduates who completed their M.Ed., CAGS, or PhD programs from August 2012-May 2013. The overall response rate was 55 percent.

Lesley University

The university is a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation organized and operated under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 180. The university is exempt from federal income tax as an organization described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Educator/Counselor Preparation and Professional Development Program at Lesley University is accredited under the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) Quality Principles through the CAEP Accreditation System, for a period of seven years, from 2014 to 2021. The Educator/Counselor Preparation and Professional Development Program at Lesley University will seek accreditation under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards in Fall of 2021. Formed in 2013, CAEP is the single specialized accreditor for educator preparation, and administers TEAC accreditation. Official Notification Letter [pdf].

Lesley Chosen as Innovator by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) has chosen Lesley's educator preparation programs' comprehensive assessment system to be added to its Innovations Inventory, an online database of practices "that provide educator candidates a competitive edge in the field." Read more »